Solid State Tesla Coil: Basics & Advice

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the construction and viability of solid state Tesla coils for final year projects. Participants emphasize the importance of using a solid state oscillator as a reliable RF power source, highlighting the critical nature of primary coil dimensions for optimal performance. Comparisons are made between solid state and conventional air gap Tesla coils, with solid state designs being deemed more efficient and modern. Participants also note the necessity of careful tuning and suggest researching existing designs for guidance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of solid state oscillators and their application in RF power generation.
  • Knowledge of Tesla coil construction, including winding techniques and tuning principles.
  • Familiarity with high voltage safety protocols when working with Tesla coils.
  • Basic electronics skills, including circuit design and schematic interpretation.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research solid state oscillator designs for Tesla coils.
  • Learn about tuning techniques for optimal Tesla coil performance.
  • Explore existing Tesla coil schematics and construction guides available online.
  • Investigate safety measures for high voltage experiments in Tesla coil projects.
USEFUL FOR

Electronics students, hobbyists interested in high voltage projects, and anyone looking to build or improve solid state Tesla coils.

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Hi everyone, I am have been looking here for a long time, but today is my first day registered. I will be active from now on =). As my first post, I would like to know about the basics and advice about the solid state tesla coil. I would like to do it for my final year project. Is it advisable? or is it and old technology that is not meaningful today? and if compared to the conventional air gap method of tesla coil, which would be better?
 
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Pagedown said:
Hi everyone, I am have been looking here for a long time, but today is my first day registered. I will be active from now on =). As my first post, I would like to know about the basics and advice about the solid state tesla coil. I would like to do it for my final year project. Is it advisable? or is it and old technology that is not meaningful today? and if compared to the conventional air gap method of tesla coil, which would be better?

Welcome to the PF. What is a solid state Tesla coil? What is different from a regular Tesla coil? I'd like to learn more about this...
 
Hi and welcome
You are presumably intending to use a solid state oscillator as a source of RF power for your coil. The coil will still be 'wound'.

I only made one Tesla transformer and that used a massive RF triode valve which self-oscillated and which glowed orange-hot at times. The valve was a very rugged device so it didn't come to any great harm when the tuning wasn't right. If you use a solid state transmitting device, I should make sure that you drive it with a separate oscillator. Make sure it is a beefy as you can lay your hands on, too. Even on the primary, some pretty high voltages occur at resonance.

I found that the dimensions (spacing and no. of turns) of the primary were very critical. There was a lot of cut and try before getting a really fat discharge from the secondary. It was actually quite scary.
 
Thanks, how to make one circuit self-oscillating? Can you probably show a schematic? =)
 
It was about 30 yrs ago and all that remains is a faded photo. There must be designs in old constructor mags. or even on the net.
 

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